Spotlight On Del Mar

UNION-TRIBUNE

Highlights: Zenyatta won the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and put on a show for the ages, one Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper said was “the best day Del Mar ever had.” … Jockey Patrick Valenzuela has ridden 10 days here and has seven wins. One of those victories came aboard J P’s Gusto, who won the Best Pal Stakes … Two other 2-year-olds had big weeks. Bench Points won the Graduation Stakes and Wickedly Perfect took the Sorrento Stakes.

Lowlights: Tuscan Evening, a mare who had won six straight races on turf for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday morning after a 6-furlong workout on the turf course … Two horses broke down and had to be euthanized, one on the Polytrack and one on the turf … Bad week for jockeys with Joe Talamo breaking his left wrist (thrown by falling Rockstar Ben) and ruled out for the meeting. Martin Pedroza (pinched nerve in neck) and Martin Garcia (kicked in buttocks by his horse) missed mounts Sunday … It was another bad week for Polytrack, which separated again Saturday morning and nearly cost Del Mar Zenyatta’s appearance.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK 4

Highlights: Wednesday’s $100,000 Real Good Stakes is part of a race card that has a Pick-Six carryover of $178,834. A field of six includes favorite Goggles McCoy, a Northern California invader who is undefeated in three races … The $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap is Friday, followed by the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap on Saturday, featuring trainer Jim Cassidy’s Kid Edward and the turf debut of Jenny Craig’s Sidney’s Candy. Sunday is the Grade II, $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes for older fillies and mares on turf … The Soft Pack plays in concert after the races Friday … The Reggae Fest is Saturday after the races and features Jimmy Cliff & Matisyahu.